Axle-box foe



11. LEVINGTGN.

Car-Axle Box.

No. 8,428. v18118111811 001. 14, 1851.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT LEYIGTON, OF MONROE, MICHIGAN.

AXLE-IBOX FOR RAILROAD-CARS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 8,428, dated October 14, 1851.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ROBERT LEVINGTON, of Monroe, in the county of Monroe and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Oil-Boxes for Railroad Carriages, Cars, &c.; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1, is an isometrical view; Fig. 2, a transverse and Fig. 3, a longitudinal section, in each of which, where the same parts are shown they are designated by the same letters of reference.

The nature of my invention consists in providing a sliding partit-ion in the lower part of the box which is operated upon by a screw, whereby the packing is compressed against the back, sides, and bottom of the box, (which inclines upward) and also, the underside of the j ournal-keeping the journal in close contact with the composition box and compressing the packing closely against the inner end of the box and shoulder of the journal, so that the oil cannot escape and at the same time, forming a reservoir for oil in front whereby a constant supply of oil to the journal through the medium of the packing is attained without the usual and otherwise unavoidable waste of oil.

(a, a) is the frame of'the box which is provided with a lid which is secured by bolts (b, 5,) passing through it and screwing into projecting lips. The journal of the axle (0,) is cut down leaving a shoulder and also a iange on its end between which the composition box (CZ) rests. Sliding horizontally in t-he bottom of the box on guides or ways is a vertical partition (e) its upper side conformable to the axle, but not fitting itl close but so .as to leave space enough to allow the oil to flow into the packing. This partition (e) is for the purpose of pressing together the packing against the axle so as to prevent the escape of oil at the back of the box, but at the same time allowing the oil to penetrate to the packing and supply the required quantity to the axle. It is forced against the packing by means of a screw (f) the head of which extends outside of the front or back end of the box so as to be operated upon by a wrench at pleasure, to tighten or slacken the packing; it is nicely fitted to its thread in t-he end of the box to prevent the escape of oil, but loosely in the partition so as to turn freely therein, and at the same time, slide the partit-ion forward or back as required. The end of the journal terminates within the box leaving considerable space forming a reservoir to contain oil; and it is provided with an aperture (9,) to replenish it with oil, which has projecting from it two metal lips (L L) for the purpose of protecting the cork from accident and at the same time exposing enough of the cork to be readily removed with the finger and thumb.

The space in the box behind the partition grows smaller toward the inner end of the box, by the bottom of the box inclining upward, in order, that the packing may be more compressed at the inner end of the space than at the partition, so as to prevent the escape of oil around the axle, and at the same time, insure a constant supply of oil to the journal by the packing being less condensed at the partition and consequently will absorb the oil there, more readily and lubricate the journal thoroughly.

Having thus fully described my improved oil box what I claim therein as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The sliding partition (e) operated upon by a screw, or its equivalent, in .combination with the inclined bottom at the inner end of the packing space, condensing the packing more at the inner end of the packing space than at the partition, whereby the oil is prevented from escaping, as well, as insuring a constant supply of oil to the journal substantially as herein set forth.

In testimony whereof he has hereunto signed his name before twoA subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT LEVINGTON.

Witnesses:

A. D. ANDERSON, WILLIAM H. MANNING. 

